How to Perfectly Cut Filet Mignon Steaks from a Beef Tenderloin

Filet mignon is considered one of the most tender, delicious and luxurious cuts of beef. The filet comes from the tenderloin, the famously tender muscle running along the cow’s spine.

With just a whole beef tenderloin, a sharp knife and a few simple butchery skills you can cut perfect thick filet mignon steaks at home for a fraction of the cost of buying pre-cut filets.

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to seamlessly prepare filet mignon steaks from a whole beef tenderloin.

Select the Right Tenderloin

When choosing a tenderloin for filet mignon, opt for:

• Whole, untrimmed tenderloin – Needs some hands-on trimming but costs less than prepared.

• 2-3 pounds – Good size for 4-6 filet steaks. Larger tenderloins can be tricky for beginners to cut.

• Prime grade -Highest USDA grade with abundant marbling for flavor and tenderness.

• Grass-fed or organic– Pasture-raised cows produce more flavorful beef.

Inspect the tenderloin for freshness. It should have a deep red color and supple texture with white fat marbling throughout.

Prep the Tenderloin

Before slicing filets, the tenderloin needs proper trimming and prep:

• Trim fat cap – Remove the thick outer fat cap but leave about 1⁄4 inch intact for moisture.

• Peel silverskin – Slide a boning knife under the sinewy silverskin membrane and peel it off.

• Take out the side muscle by cutting the “chain” muscle that runs along the side.

• Square edges – Give the tenderloin clean 90-degree edges on all sides to simplify slicing.

• Chill – Chill tenderloin in the fridge 30 minutes to firm it up for cleaner slicing.

Proper trimming and squaring off simplifies the tenderloin into a neat cylinder, ready for filet cutting.

Determine Filet Thickness

Decide how thick you want your filet steaks to be. Some guidelines:

• 2 inches – Very thick, steakhouse-style filets. You’ll get 2-3 steaks from a 3 lb tenderloin.

• 1 1⁄2 inches – A nice hearty thickness. A 3 lb tenderloin will yield 3-4 steaks.

• 1 inch – Standard restaurant thickness. You’ll get 4-5 steaks.

• 1⁄2 inch – Thinner but still generous. A 3 lb tenderloin yields 6-7 steaks.

• 1⁄4 inch – For very thin cuts like carpaccio. You’ll get 10+ steaks.

Bigger filets mean thicker steaks but fewer total. Choose based on your needs.

Slicing the Filet Mignon Steaks

Follow these steps for evenly cut steaks:

• Use a sharp knife – A long, thin slicing or boning knife works best. Sharpen just before cutting.

• Cut against the grain – Identify direction of muscle grain and slice perpendicular to it for tenderness.

• Anchor tenderloin – Hold tenderloin firmly with one hand while slicing to prevent slipping.

• Apply gentle pressure – Use smooth, even strokes without crushing or tearing meat.

• Make straight slices – Keep knife vertical and slices uniform in thickness.

• Cut in batches – Chill tenderloin between slicing batches to firm it back up.

Work slowly and carefully, inspecting thickness as you go to achieve perfect filets.

Cleaning Up the Filet Steaks

Once sliced, finish prepping your filets:

• Trim edges – Clean up any uneven edges or flaps for a tidy presentation.

• Remove chain muscle – The tapered “chain” section won’t make for perfect steaks. Use for stir fry or stew meat instead.

• Portion – Cut any exceptionally thick end steaks in half horizontally to match the others.

• Chill – Allow filets to chill for 30 minutes to firm up their shape before vacuum sealing.

Beautiful, expertly cut filet mignon steaks are ready for cooking or freezing!

Storing Raw Filet Mignon

To retain quality and freshness:

• Short-term – Wrap tightly and refrigerate up to 4 days.

• Long-term – Vacuum seal or wrap tightly in freezer bags. Freeze for 4-6 months.

• Thaw safely – Thaw frozen filets overnight in the fridge. Do not leave at room temp more than 2 hours.

• Cook ASAP – Cook thawed filets within a day or two to prevent quality loss.

With a whole tenderloin and just a bit of knife skill, you can enjoy restaurant-quality filet mignon steaks at home for a stellar dining experience.